The Legislative Council Panel on Security held a video conference today (August 8). When the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, gave a briefing on the "Policy Address", he said that the Government was actively promoting the legislative work of Article 23 of the Basic Law and hoped that the current-term government would start a consultation before the end of the session. The draft will be submitted to the Legislative Council for deliberation by the end of this year.
Deng Bingqiang said that Hong Kong has the constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security, and the law enforcement work to safeguard national security in the past has greatly reduced Hong Kong's national security risks.
He said the inter-departmental counter-terrorism task force will strengthen its response capabilities, public education and publicity, and resolutely enforce the law to prevent local terrorists from spreading hatred and advocating violence.
He pointed out that the authorities are actively promoting the legislative work of Article 23, and will refer to and study local or foreign cases, the implementation of the "Hong Kong National Security Law" and court rulings, and formulate effective and pragmatic plans according to the actual situation.
Councillors to regulate cannabidiol worry about fake news during the year
Deng Bingqiang also mentioned that he is planning to control cannabidiol under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and will carry out legislative work within this year.
Councillor Hacken Chan believes that the government should also study short-term measures to combat cannabidiol.
Deng Bingqiang said that the authorities will strengthen law enforcement work. In recent operations, more than 20% of cannabidiol products have been found to contain the illegal ingredient "tetrahydrocannabinol". Although the situation has subsided recently, law enforcement will not stop.
At the meeting, Tian Beichen from the Real Politics Roundtable paid attention to the fact that fake news is not clearly regulated by laws, and worried that fake news would hinder the anti-epidemic work.
Tang Bingqiang responded that the authorities will study the regulation of fake news by legislation or other methods, and the work will be coordinated by the Home Affairs Bureau, and the Security Bureau will also provide comments.
He pointed out that the government will clarify untruthful remarks in a timely manner. Although there is no law to regulate fake news, if the information contains elements of incitement, fraud or endangering national security, the existing laws will be enforced.
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The closed circuit video of Tongleju has been read within a month
Police Commissioner Siu Chak-yee reported the crime situation in 2021 at the meeting, saying that more than 64,000 crimes were recorded in Hong Kong last year, an overall increase of 1,196 cases over the previous year, a slight increase of 1.9 percentage points.
He believes that the law and order in Hong Kong is stable and the overall crime rate remains at a low level.
The Police will strengthen links with various sectors, respond to policing issues, and help citizens identify false information.
He also mentioned the chief executive election to be held next month, saying that the police will conduct risk assessments and strengthen intelligence collection, hoping that the election can be held in a safe and orderly manner.
Many parliamentarians are concerned about domestic crime. Tang Jiabiao of the Federation of Trade Unions asked about the progress of the investigation of the Tong Leju case. Xiao Zeyi responded that the police have finished watching about 3/4 of the CCTV footage, which is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
He said the police had established procedures in handling domestic violence cases to ensure they were handled professionally.
He pointed out that the police have regular meetings with the SWD, as well as liaison with social workers and non-governmental organizations, and will continue to strengthen cooperation between all parties in handling domestic violence incidents in the future.
Chen Yingxin is also concerned about the measures to combat child abuse crimes. She believes that the Tongleju incident depends on the public's reporting and the department's follow-up. She suggested that the authorities strengthen the outreach mechanism to prevent and investigate similar incidents.
Xiao Zeyi said that he will discuss with relevant departments, including the Department of Justice and the Social Welfare Department, to strengthen prosecution and training, hoping to improve the professionalism of internal personnel.
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Article 23 Legislation｜Security Bureau: The current-term government concludes the pre-consultation and will review the draft Article 23 legislation before the end of this year｜Deng Bingqiang: Study to expand the definition of "political group" and whether it is necessary to have "extraterritorial effect" in Article 23 legislation and improve the confidentiality law Tang Bingqiang Criticizing spies and helping criminals to go into exile: To bury you in school and add children's music to the case report exposed CCTV exposes 55 suspected child abuse cases involving slaps, twists ears and burying walls of children's music residence | Compulsory reporting of child abuse requires support Luo Zhiguang: target next year In the first half of the year, 3 more female employees were charged with child abuse in Tongleju’s child abuse case. The defendant requested anonymity to handle the child abuse case at Tongleju.
